DAVID Gold today insisted 'all was not lost' and that Blues could stave off relegation from the Premiership.

DAVID Gold today insisted 'all was not lost' and that Blues could stave off relegation from the Premiership.

The chairman said that it was likely to be a battle for survival between Blues, Albion and Portsmouth - and his club's chances were good.

Gold based his judgment centring on the crunch home fixtures against Sunderland (February 25) and Albion (March 11).

"We are fighting for our lives and are in a very, very serious position," said Gold. "We can't dance around the situation anymore.

"But all hope is not lost. Not at all - and I will tell you why. To me, it seems to be a three-horse race between ourselves, West Brom and Portsmouth. There will be one 'winner' from that group.

"Someone else might get dragged into it but, right now, it looks like it's between us three and, most likely, ourselves and West Brom.

"I think that it could all boil down to two games that really stand out when you look at the remaining fixtures - Sunderland and West Brom both at home. If we win them both then I believe we will do it. The run-in for ourselves and West Brom is almost identical.

"If you put those two games I've mentioned to one side for a minute and work on the basis that we are equal and they get exactly what we get in terms of points, you can see why those matches are so important.

"You can say 'but we've got to play Chelsea' - so have West Brom. We have got Manchester United - so have West Brom. We both have Tottenham and Villa, away. They will think 'we don't fear the Newcastle game', and neither do we.

"Predominantly, our whole season revolves around those two games coming up in the next few weeks. And let's make no bones about it - they have to be won."

Steve Bruce's men have also got to fit in the twice postponed home fixture against Bolton Wanderers, their game in hand on Albion and Pompey.

Gold, who was unable to attend Monday's 3-0 defeat at West Ham United because of sickness, said the result was hugely disappointing.

"I have no complaints, they were clearly the better side," accepted Gold, who watched the live television broadcast from Upton Park at his Surrey home.

"We made some basic defensive mistakes, and you could point to our centre-halves. I am not saying they are poor players, they just had a bad day at the office. Clearly, we miss our key players and the sooner we can get them back into the side the better."

Gold paid tribute to the contribution and approach of Blues youngsters like Marcos Painter, Alex Bruce, Mat Birley and Mat Sadler, who have stepped to the fore in recent league and FA Cup matches.

However, he said it would be unfair to expect them alone to pull Blues through in the coming weeks.

"To see the kids in the team and on the bench is encouraging in one respect and they did great to beat Reading in that FA Cup replay, they really helped keep the spirits going.

"We're off to Stoke City on Sunday in the Cup, which is like a bit of light relief, and I'm sure they will be involved in some way again.

"I've got to say that although their attitude and determination has been refreshing, it's asking too much of them to perform week after week in the relegation battle we find ourselves in."

Meanwhile, David Dunn has been back in full training for two days and could be available for the Potteries trip.

But Blues might keep him back for another week to ensure he is 100 per cent right for the Black Cats visit. Dunn tore his calf muscle at Liverpool on February 1.